Flooding and debris from Tropical Storm Rachel closed Big Cottonwood Canyon Road on Sunday, Oct. 11, blocking uphill traffic and leaving Sandy residents without a timeline for when the route would reopen.

The Utah Department of Transportation shut down SR-190 after water and debris swept across the roadway near Storm Mountain. UDOT and Salt Lake County officials turned vehicles around at the canyon mouth and barred all uphill travel, UDOT Cottonwood Canyons said on X.

The closure followed flash flood warnings triggered by the remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel, which pushed heavy rain across much of Utah on Sunday, Fox 13 reported. Sandy residents had been warned Friday, Oct. 9 that the storm could bring flooding to the area.

UDOT crews worked overnight to clear a clogged culvert at Storm Mountain near milepost 4.25, the agency posted on X early Monday, Oct. 12. No estimated reopening time was given.

SR-190 remained closed as of midnight Monday, according to Gephardt Daily. Downhill traffic was rerouted through Guardsman Pass, the seasonal mountain road connecting Brighton to the Park City SR-224 junction. That pass was listed as open early Monday.

By about 2:19 a.m. Monday, Utah Crash News listed SR-190 as open at the canyon mouth near milepost 2. However, UDOT Cottonwood Canyons had not posted a formal reopening announcement as of its last update at approximately 2:46 a.m. Monday.

Big Cottonwood Canyon is Sandy's primary access to Brighton, Solitude and backcountry trailheads. The closure affected anyone heading up-canyon Sunday evening, including hikers and canyon-area workers.

More disruptions could follow. The National Weather Service forecast calls for 3 to 7 inches of snow in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Tuesday, Oct. 13, with 1 to 3 inches Tuesday night and 1 to 2 inches Wednesday, according to Utah Crash News.

Residents can check current road conditions through UDOT Cottonwood Canyons on X (@UDOTcottonwoods).